Best Of The 2000’s: 10 Sneakers That Didn’t Make The Cut
By now we’re sure you’ve read, and voiced your opinion on, our highly controversial (relax broskis, there’s more to life than sneaker debates) Top 100 Sneakers of the 2000’s list. After looking at your very constructive comments pertaining to the styles that didn’t make the cut, we wanted to give our reasoning for not including certain sneakers on the massive countdown. See, we listen to you guys, and value your opinions (thanks for clicking). Read on to learn why shoes like the Cool Grey XI, Jordan VI/XI DMP Pack, and New Balance x SoleBox Purple Devil didn’t get the nod. Feel free to leave your feedback in the comments, just don’t tell us to kill ourselves like commenter “Qof” did.
SNEAKER:Air Jordan Cool Grey XI
YEAR RELEASED: 2001
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: Sure these were sick and solidified the “cool grey” colorway as an awesome go-to for Jordan as well as other brands, but in the interest of not getting too Jordan-heavy with the list, we left off re-issues of original silhouettes (besides special make-ups.) Think of all the sick IVs, VIs, and VIIIs that dropped in the past nine years. The whole front-end of the list could’ve been Jordans. What fun would have that been?
SNEAKER:Jordan Defining Moments Package
YEAR RELEASED: 2006
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: This Black/Gold package VI/XI combo had people going crazy when it came out, but the staying power of the sneakers has diminished significantly since its release. Now that Jordan brand is doing even more DMP’s and the packages aren’t a one-off (people thought they may be back in 2006), don’t be surprised to see more powerful pairings than the first drop in the future that will make you forget about the O.G.s
SNEAKER: adidas Gazelle Skate
YEAR RELEASED: 2007
WHY IT DIDN’T MAKE IT: The new take on a classic, timeless silo was good, but it hasn’t picked up that much steam yet. Can the Gazelle ever do for adidas skate what the dunk did for Nike SB? We’re hoping, but it didn’t happen in time for this list.
SNEAKER: Nike Nylon Dunk
YEAR RELEASED: 2008
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: These made our top 50 Dunk list, but compared to the classic Dunks that made the Aughts list, these just aren’t in the same league yet. If Nike continues to pump these out and keep the people excited, these might make our list in 2020.
SNEAKER: Nike Air Zoom Huarache 2k4
YEAR RELEASED: 2004
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: Commenters complained that these weren’t on the list, but really, who wore these off-court? Not us or you, probably. For basketball they were great, but that’s where it stopped. Plus the Huarache 2k5 > Huarache 2k4 and the Hyperdunk that was #32 on our list are better than both styles.
SNEAKER: Solebox x New Balance “Purple Devil”
YEAR RELEASED: 2006
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: This collab was one of the most critically-acclaimed New Balance releases, but it was one of those sneakers that no one knew where to get them in the United States—not even Flight Club has ‘em. It’s a great sneaker, but the sketchy distribution (only 300 made overseas) ruined it for us. If you scored a pair, you’re probably like the coolest person we don’t know.
SNEAKER: Nike Paris Opium 180
YEAR RELEASED: 2006
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: We got some heat about not including these Opium-designed 180s, but it’s hard to debate that these were better than the Union 180s or the Nom de Guerre’s special make-ups 180—both of which made the list. There was some hype behind these, but they didn’t sell as well as expected, with some pairs even trickling into outlets in the U.S. after sitting on shelves
SNEAKER: Air Max Infrared 90s
YEAR RELEASED: 1990
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: Umm…to the two commenters who gave us shit for this, look at the name of the sneaker. These were made in 1990 and the re-issues that came later were exactly the same.
SNEAKER: Nike Air ‘Eggplant’ Foamposite
YEAR RELEASED: 2009
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: The Foamposite is a classic, and this colorway had people lining up this past year, but the sneaker was originally produced in 1997. If we put these on, we would have no argument for leaving all the Jordan re-issues off the list. Last time we’ll say it.
SNEAKER: Vans x Hosoi Sk8-Hi
YEAR RELEASED: 2007
WHY THEY DIDN’T MAKE IT: In terms of the Sk8-Hi, this collabo with skater Christian Hosoi, is widely considered one of the best make-ups of the last few years. It was on our top 101, but got cut in the edit. True story.
RELATED: The Top 100 Sneakers of the 2000’s
IamPaulC September 18, 2009 at 3:05 pm
yea…last ones would look good on me
SHANE NASH September 18, 2009 at 3:06 pm
YEP. ALL THESE SHOES BOOTSIE. (EXCEPT THE MAX 90′S I HEART MAX 90′S)
Will Clarke September 18, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Your list is a joke. I’ve conferred with two of my friends who are also sneakerheads and they concur.
For a handful of sneaks that I think you missed, here are a couple.
Nike Dunk NL Series, specifically the peach, brown and beige pair with drawings of Charles Barkley hanging on to a kite in the insole.
Nike Dunk Low Premium Tiffany Croc Reflector (superior to the Untifanny in every way.
The Pink, Blue and Black Safari Air Maxs(I like the pink swooshed ones more than the orange, green and black ones but that’s just me).
The Nike Dunk Low Premium “Jordan” Pack, specifically the 11s.
Also, the Dunk SB versions are the lamest type of Dunks out there.
And a shoe’s scarcity doesn’t automatically qualify it for being the best shoe of the decade.
suckitmarshall September 18, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Peep this dude’s face. SON IS TIGHT! HAHAHAHA!!
Will Clarke September 18, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Sorry, I just realized I wasn’t specific enough with my description of the Safaris. I meant the Pink, Black and Blue Air Safari Supreme. Here is a link to the shoes in question: http://www.myairshoes.com/nike/nike-tech-pack-part-2-air-max-1-supreme-air-safari-supreme.html.
mistermister September 18, 2009 at 4:26 pm
I actualy own Vans x Hosoi Sk8-Hi, and they are realy uncomfortable piece of crap. I would put them in my 100 of worst shoes one could wear.
CassavaLeaf.com September 20, 2009 at 8:14 pm
I have a pair of those Air Max
classic
Capo September 18, 2009 at 4:45 pm
^ Will you’re life is a joke. And by “conferring with two of my friends” did you really mean you blew each other wearing the hot pink Air Max 1s?
You’re lookin’ mad fruity in your picture too.
Will Clarke September 18, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I decided to leave this as a direct reply to make sure you read it, fggt:
Blah, blah, Capo. Get an original diss, fool. Unless me and my friend’s have 1000 mile long cocks or can send their members as an email attachment, I don’t think there was any cross country ‘blowing’ going on. From the sound of it, you must be real worried about coming off as gay. Also, are you impersonating Jim Jones or purposefully using the Italian word for “head”, something I imagine you like giving. Spit or swallow?
Capo is my favoritest heros September 19, 2009 at 6:27 am
Capo, you are life is a joke. Backs in mothers Russia, you don’ts walks in sneakers: sneakers walks in you. I hopes ones days to makes learn English as goods as you do.
Will Clarke September 18, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Blah, blah, Capo. Get an original diss, fool. Unless me and my friend’s have 1000 mile long cocks or can send their members as an email attachment, I don’t think there was any cross country ‘blowing’ going on. From the sound of it, you must be real worried about coming off as gay. Also, are you impersonating Jim Jones or purposefully using the Italian word for “head”, something I imagine you like giving. Spit or swallow?
ithinkiloveher September 18, 2009 at 5:22 pm
you’re a homo for even thinking about “1000 mile long cocks”
Will Clarke September 18, 2009 at 5:29 pm
Just because I went balls deep in your mothers ass doesn’t mean I’m gay, I just couldn’t handle her gash’s crazy roast beef. Is “ithinkiloveher” supposed to prove your own heterosexuality? Stop overcompensating for your own anxieties, you aren’t fooling anyone.
ithinkiloveher September 18, 2009 at 6:50 pm
lol @ you trying to call me gay for having “ithinkiloveher” as my screen name when you’re talking about having your friends “send their members as an email attachment.” die slow fuck boy.
suckitmarshall September 18, 2009 at 6:00 pm
I wish more commenters on complex.com pulled eachother’s pigtails like this, you’re all gay for eachother—and sneakers.
DunkOnaBitch September 18, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Gay this, gay that. Grow up assholes.
thetruest September 19, 2009 at 12:16 pm
What a sad bunch of comments above.
People should start of spend a bit of this sneaker money on education and the time they take to look at these posts on reading and think about worth well subjects.
SAD
Capo is my favoritest heros September 20, 2009 at 6:50 am
I likes makes worth well comments. Thanks to yous.
dustin September 21, 2009 at 12:09 pm
“we left off re-issues of original silhouettes”
so you made half the top 10 sb’s? The nike dunk isnt an original silhouette? someone please explain to me how an army green or a yellow iv is any different from a purple foamposite or a cool grey xi as far as being a re-issue of an original silhouette…..and on top of that they put the patent leather ones up….kill yourself complex….your logic makes no sense
Wack September 21, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Your list blowed people got shot and stabbed over the 11s and they don’t deserve to be a top 100 sneaker of the decade and the overhyped yeezys are 5 ur a joke
that dude September 21, 2009 at 12:33 pm
“THETRUEST” made a comment about people speding money on education instead of sneakers and couldn’t even write a sentence. NOW that’s hilarious.
MelloYelloMD September 21, 2009 at 1:47 pm
You put the LeBron 7s on there which aren’t even out yet and not the Zoom Gen 1st games? FAIL. I feel you on the Foams but the original Eggplant and Gold makeups on the Flightposite have inspired numerous copies. What the Dunks? Skate or Dies? Orchard Streets? Titanium 23s? I expected the list to be dominated by pink/black box SBs and all the collabs you could think of (and maybe I missed some in clicking through) but “Dustin” makes a good point you can claim to leave off reissues and LE makeups but have 5+ pairs of the same kicks.
airmaxfan September 21, 2009 at 4:40 pm
The air max 90 infrared re-issue is not the same as the original. Why? The original cw was Hot Red not Infrared. The 2001 “retro” was Max Orange. It wasn’t until 2003 that the Air Max 90 Infrareds were released. The 2005 had a smaller air unit and the tongue was not mesh. The 2008 retro still has no mesh tongue and the infrared is more pink. Therefore they are not all the same.
BigBob September 21, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Couldn’t agree more…
AM infrared 90’s are my favorite sneaker of all time. They are sick, if you don’t agree, you are losing.
And they really weren’t all the same.
I would do some dirty things to get an OG pair.
walter September 21, 2009 at 9:56 pm
fucking idiotas
T-King September 22, 2009 at 9:20 pm
You guys at COMPLEX keep shooting yourselves in the foot! Too Jordan heavy? You realize that Jordan’s make up 80% of the sneaker/hype game?!?
Too many rehashes of originals??? Yet you put the ugliest 4’s of all time as number 1, that nobody has?!?!?
Too many Dunks, too many sneaks that have never had any hype whatsoever, that nobody gives a shit.
Worst List Ever! Terrible rational, makes no sense!
Not enough Supra, Not Enough Jordan, Not enough heat!?!?
Best of 2000’s?!?!?!